After ASL I ended and many long talks with my instructor, I decided to switch my major to educational interpreting. I was aware of what the degree offered, but I didn't really have a true understanding of what being an educational interpreter meant. I was only entering the program because I wanted to be proficient in ASL and have an understanding of deafness, Deaf Culture and deaf history. I was still planning to obtain my masters in counseling but my aim was to work within the deaf community as well as the hearing community. I had it all planned out, I knew exactly what I was going to do... I think I even had my office colors picked out and the name plate for my door. It's kinda funny how you think you know what your gonna do with your life and end up doing the exact opposite. I have no intention of ever getting my degree in the mental health field. I love being an Interpreter and am so glad that I made the choice to change majors, regardless of what my first intentions were.
If you want to be an interpreter and have the opportunity to attend school, I highly recommend it. However, I want to stress that even though education is important, it will not fully prepare you to enter the deaf community as an interpreter. It takes a lot of determination and self-sacrifice. What I mean is, it requires your time and attention to become a good interpreter. Interacting with the deaf community will be highly beneficial to your career; and one of your greatest teachers. Much more is involved than just learning ASL itself, there is a whole history out there; education, oralism, oppression, sign systems, laws, beliefs, culture, the list goes on and on. Aside from that, the most obvious benefit from interaction is that it improves your receptive and expressive skills. You have to use the language; it has to become a part of you. Mentoring is another great way to improve your skills especially if you want to become an interpreter. If you have the opportunity to observe other working interpreters I suggest that you do.
Apart from schooling and doing my internship... I read books, attended workshops, became involved in the ASL club, and I interacted within the deaf community, where I've made some great friends. When I finally graduated from college and "became a professional Interpreter", I felt comfortable and very much a part of the deaf community.
